Students Use AI as Often as Parents for Advice
Data from the 2025/2026 school year shows most students now turn to AI for answers rather than seeking adult guidance.
Updated on Oct. 16, 2026 in Artificial Intelligence
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Is it concerning that children are turning to artificial intelligence for advice as often as parents?
Data from the 2025/2026 school year shows that 57% of students aged 11 to 18 now turn to artificial intelligence when they have a doubt. This usage rate is nearly identical to the 58.6% of students who consult their parents for the same purpose.
Why it matters
Students increasingly treat AI as a primary resource, often preferring it over adults to avoid the fear of being judged for asking incorrect questions. This shift highlights a growing reliance on machine-generated feedback for academic and personal advice.
A survey of 20,000 students conducted during the 2025/2026 school year found 57% consult AI for doubts vs. 58.6% who consult parents. Additionally, 70.9% use AI for information searching, while 55.5% leverage the technology specifically for homework assistance.
The players
Social Warning - Movimento Etico Digitale APS
A scientific observatory focused on researching digital education and the impact of technology on youth.
The details
Students interact with AI systems for information, homework help, and personal advice, with 14% using these tools for open-ended conversation. Many users report that AI lowers the social friction of learning by providing a non-judgmental environment. Despite this high level of adoption, 62.1% of surveyed students report that their classrooms have not addressed the parameters of responsible internet or AI usage.
Timeline
2025/2026 school year: The survey period for data collection regarding digital habits.
The Tech Race
This development follows a pattern of rapid, unguided adoption of generative AI tools that outpaces formal digital literacy frameworks. The research highlights that while AI integration is high, the educational sector currently struggles to provide the oversight needed to match student usage habits.
For parents and educators, the data suggests that AI tools have become a primary, non-judgmental supplement for homework help and information gathering. Families should note that 46.3% of students express concern regarding improper AI use, signaling a need for clearer guidelines at home.
The takeaway
Students are integrating AI into their daily learning loops at a rate that effectively competes with parental guidance. Watch for future educational policy updates regarding mandatory digital literacy training to see if schools can catch up to the current student usage trends.
Further reading
Explore deeper insights into the development of Artificial Intelligence across global education sectors.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The Vermilion.
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Is it concerning that children are turning to artificial intelligence for advice as often as parents?
